Don't miss your chance to win a FREE TRIP to JAPAN! Visit Japan Year 2010 contest is running until November 30th. Prizes include free air tickets, hotel accommodations, train passes, day tours, Visit Japan 2010 Original Goods and many more. So why wait? Just follow your imagination and submit an essay or upload a photo for a chance to win a life-time experience in Japan! More Info >>

JNTO NEW OFFICE

KYOTO WINTER SPECIAL

NARA

Japan National Tourism Organization New York Office relocated. More Info >>

Kyoto Winter Special comes back for 2010! Come and immerse yourself in the timeless magic of winter in Kyoto. More Info >>

Nara, the birth place of Japan, is celebrating its 1300th anniversary in 2010!More Info >>

NARITA EXPRESS

NEW PRIME MINISTER

LOUIS VUITTON FOREST

The brand-new Narita Express debut! It connects Narita Airport with major railway stations in Tokyo. More Info >>

Did you know the new prime minister of Japan, Yukio Hatoyama had once been nicknamed "The Alien?"More Info >>

Don't miss the first comprehensive exhibition ever dedicated to the arts of samurai! From the 12th century through 19th century, samurai had been the military nobility of Japan and they followed the path of "The Way of the Warrior".

On the seven islands of the Seto Inland Sea and in Takamatsu port, this art festival will see people gather throughout Japan and rest of the world. Historically, the Seto Inland Sea has been a marine traffic route and also abundant with fish and seafood.

As in its beginning in 1999, Anime USA's mission is to educate the public about and promote Japanese arts and popular culture. And they remain a convention of fans, by fans, and for fans. We at JNTO will be there to promote how you can experience Japanese arts in depth while traveling in Japan. Meet JNTO staff at the booth!

Koyasan, or Mount Koya (san means mountain in Japanese), has been a Buddhist sanctuary for over 1200 years. It was founded in 816 by Kukai, the founder of Buddhism's Shingon sect. Long ago it was far and secluded, but it is now very accessible, and yet still held a mystic atmosphere when I visited it in September. Read more >>

Inaka: My Sweet Home

How many of our savvy readers have heard of Iya, which is remote part of Tokushima Prefecture on Shikoku Island? Situated in the western part of Tokushima and nearly in the center of Shikoku, the Iya area is one of the three large “hidden mountain regions" in Japan with impossibly steep gorges. Read more >>

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo has just launched a package plan for foreign guests called, "Sake Sampler Package" till mid February, 2010. It includes hotel stay, breakfast and 3 kinds of Japanese sake sampling along with the appetizers that are specially made to go with the sake. Guests enjoy sake sampling at the "Amanogawa Bar" (Amanogawa means Milky Way) on the 2nd floor of the hotel. Sake are specially selected to suit even first timers' pallets, perhaps a bit like fruity wines. Explanatory cards of featured sake are also distributed.

Quiz: This is a picture of the standard and very popular Hida souvenir doll. Please give us the name of the doll in the Japanese, which means “Happy Monkey Baby" in the Hida dialect.

Hint: The Hida area in Gifu Prefecture is a region that is popular for sightseeing spots such as World Heritage "Gassho-style thatched-roof houses in Shirakawa-go," "Hida-Takayama" and the hot spring "Gero." Long ago, there were no toys for children in snowy Hida. So grandmothers and mothers created the "Happy Monkey Baby" for their youngsters as a wish for happiness and good health. Do you think this doll would bring you happiness and good health if you owned one?

Prize: Five lucky winners will be chosen among all correct answers submitted to receive the doll courtesy of the Gifu Prefecture Government Office in New York.

This month's useful words are ones that everyone can use when they're in Japan.

Anyone with a moderate knowledge of Japan knows that it is a gourmet Mecca and a foodie's paradise. To hammer this point home, Michelin, the French company that is renowned for its tires and travel guides, has just released a new guide focused on Kyoto and Osaka, bestowing upon the two cities' restaurants a total of 189 stars, consisting of the single, double, and highly lauded triple-star rank, of which Kyoto received six and Osaka one (a triple-star rank is the highest and most coveted, a rare and humbling honor). Together with Tokyo's 227 stars (nine three-stars, tied with Paris for the highest), Japan now boasts a whopping 416 stars, and Tokyo is still named the world culinary capital by Michelin. With all this in mind, it is no wonder that while in Japan you'll want to savor as much of this first-class goodness as you can. So how do you let people know you're ready to eat? By telling them you're hungry of course.

In Japanese, this is best conveyed with the phrase "Onaka ga suita," which literally translates to "My stomach is empty." Used around formal company, this phrase will let people know you're ready to eat. Among closer circles, such as family and friends, you can also use the phrase "Hara Hetta," which literally means "My stomach got smaller." While this might sound like you're referring to an ulcer or a hernia, it really means that you have hunger pangs. Please be aware that "Hara Hetta" is typically used exclusively by men, as it is a very masculine phrase.

Finally, if you're feeling very informal and lazy, you can say "Nanka tabetai," which simply means "I wanna eat something," and while you won't be awarded any points for style or eloquence, it'll get the point across. And remember to impress your hosts and show your gratitude by saying "Itadakimasu" before and "Gochisosama" after each meal, which mean "I humbly receive" and "Thank you for the meal" respectively. Now go get your hashi (chopsticks) ready, because you're ready to tackle Japan's amazing food culture!

We hope 2009 has been a great year for all of you, and, as many of you may know, the year of 2010 will be a blast for all fans of Japan! With many events and special offerings for travelers to Japan, we would love for you to have once-in-the lifetime experiences visiting Japan in 2010.

We are also proud to announce that the Visit Japan facebook page has reached over 2,000 fans! It is great to hear all your voices and have a chance to communicate with you all! We appreciate your comments and beautiful photos of Japan and hope to communicate with all our friends out there!